By DAVID CHURCHILL
Published: | Updated:
EasyJet has struck a deal with Elon Musk to offer onboard WiFi from next year after rival carrier Ryanair fell out with the world’s richest man.
Holidaymakers using the budget airline will be able to connect to the internet while flying through Mr Musk’s Starlink satellite comms system, easyJet said today.
The rollout across its fleets is expected to begin in the first half of next year and be completed by early 2028.
Ryanair had previously said it was open to offering Starlink to its customers but the airline’s boss Michael O’Leary had an online spat with Mr Musk, allowing easyJet to steal a march on its rival budget carrier.
The fallout happened in January after Mr O’Leary was asked whether he would follow Lufthansa and British Airways in installing Starlink on its fleet of 650 aircraft.
He rejected the idea, saying that installing antennas to his jets would result in a ‘2 per cent fuel drag’, adding tens of millions of pounds to its annual jet fuel bill.
The rollout of Starlink across easyJet's fleets is expected to begin in the first half of next year and be completed by early 2028
The fallout between Elon Musk (pictured) and Michael O’Leary in January happened after the latter was asked whether he would follow Lufthansa and British Airways in installing Starlink
Ryanair had previously said it was open to offering Starlink to its customers, but the airline’s boss Michael O’Leary (pictured) had an online spat with Elon Musk
But Mr Musk said the interpretation was 'misinformed' in a post on his X social media platform, triggering a tit-for-tat exchange of insults in which they each called the other an ‘idiot’.
EasyJet boss Kenton Jarvis said: ‘In an increasingly digital world, staying connected matters more than ever to many of our customers, whether that’s holidaymakers looking to unwind with in-flight entertainment, or our business customers keeping up to speed with what’s happening on the ground.
‘Innovation is in easyJet’s DNA and partnering with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s high-speed internet connectivity onboard for the first time will not only further enhance the experience we provide millions of customers, but means we are offering more of the options both business and leisure travellers want when they choose who they fly with.'
Gwynne Shotwell, president and chief operating officer of SpaceX, said: 'We’re proud to bring Starlink onboard easyJet and transform the way their customers stay connected throughout their travels.
'Fast, reliable connectivity from take-off to landing means people can work, stream or stay in touch without interruption.'
EasyJet carried a total of 100 million passengers in 2025 and is one of Europe’s largest airlines.